New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-23
HOW POST TRADERS ARE ROBBED
pEeGARED In THE NAME OF REFORM
THE SENATE COMMITTEE FINDS UNEXPECTED FACTS
CARLISLE STUDENTS AS sAvAGEs--HELP-
LEssNEss OF INDIANS.


CARLISLE STUDENTS AS sAVAGEs--HELP-
LEssNEss OF INDIANS.
WASHINGTON. May Ex-senator Platt, chairman
f the Senate select committee directed to Investigate
certain allegations with respect TO appointments 10
Indian traderships, has returned from the west
rbjther subcommittee went fortnight ago to take
u inony Senators Cullom aud Blackburn, the
other members of the subcommittee, lett him at Kan
saa CITY for their homes. The Witnesses TO be ex-
amined had been subponaed to appear at Arkansas
CITY, a town the southern border of Kansas ana
they cane for the most part from the Indian Terri
tory. -,
The proceedings proved to be of more interest than
was anticipated, and the committee was reluctantly
compelled 60 contsnt itself with inquiry into Jew
sample cases, upon the results OF whch IL VIII
probably frame its report concerning the whole CUES
ton submitted Senator PIatt unwilling TO express
himself except in the most general terms respecting
the work of the committee tor the reason tnat the
evidence is not all in. The statements OF the traders
under oath to the amounts OF money they were
compelled to invest In their enterprise, ranging from
SI2 0uO to $4,000 and averaging probably $2OOOO
SEEMED almost incredible, but were fully confirmed
when the committee took occasion to make personal
inspection OF some OF the stores and OF the methods
the traders compelled to adopt. Much some
times ALL their investment was swept away by the
change, and men in middle life ana 1nen IN ola age
who had ght themselves prosperous anu well pro-
yded for were reduced at once to bankruptcy. When
the new appontees are men OF and experience,
the stocks OF goods on hand buildings and fixtures
can sometimes be disposed of to them but the TACT
that they come armed with exclusive franchises
places tho outgoing trader at their mercy as regards
prices. In several Instances the appointing power
seems 10 have been sadly imposed upon, having gwen
licenses TO men who had nothing bat their influence
TO put into the business and openly proposed to the
old traders copartnerships, the latter to furnish
eapta experience and time, and the 'orner nothing
bit the license. The licenses OF this class have
oflaIa off tho oh n n
became known.
Senator rlatt thinks tho committee will DO unit in
the opinion that the power Of arbitrary interference IN
the purely business affairs OF private citizens, OF
making breaking the fortunes OF worthy men, cans
loudly for reform and whatever may DO tho d.
yergence of views respecting Civil Service reform IN
General Indian traderships ought not las The
evidence shows they were not under former Admins
tratons) TO be disposed of IA rewards OF political
service. o.
mttee went by wagon into the Territory TO see "a well
As they might in two or three days what an az encJ
and an Indian store like, and TO discover what
part in the economy OF Indian management tho trader
was expected tu play Gong into the Usage country
they found n million and halt OF acres reserve
for about 4 800 people, twO-thrds OF whom are full
HOODS az uncutured and worthless their ancestors
OF a century ago. These people are, per capita the
yealthiest on the globe II their trust fund ana theiI
land were divided among them every man, woman
and child would possess fortune OF ABOUT flZuOO
few of them have taken 20 farming but tins develop
ment - not all that might Nc gathered IRON the oaio
| .iateuent They toll not with their own hands, but
empoy white 10 do 1t. The tastidi0us eutocrats
arc daily seen coming to the agency wrapped IN theiI
qaudv blankets TO purchase supplies. For their own
consumption they select the most delicate vlands and
will take nothing else but tor their white laOorer'
| they buy the cheaper and cOarser grades
| Tho habits OF the indians we're not taken by the
committee upon trust. dance had been 10 progress
! tor a week when the committee reached the agency,
and it il doubtless going on yet IL Was only a miIe
or tN distant and the visitors became sIectaors IL
/ ,.,fot fa.flv
| dusky pagans braves. squaws aud cuOs, WIN
thousand or moro wOlhsh dogs were tented lnere 10
yether Only the braves particl 'ated IN the dance
! While tho dance in progress, the women
| polvgamous wives. bought like cattle and treated
| worse were preparing the feast Sucking babes
bound upon slabs IL To he hung like plaques upon
wall lay about promisouonsy. while naked yonths OF
both sexes and dogs and puppoA CT al degrees tooA
mart in the culinary performances
| These matters. the senator says, we're not marVe4'
/ in themselves. But to hnd that beings VINO Ihae
oxpeteneed the best efforts OF American philanthropy
for "A score OF years had made appreeiabe advance
beyond the state of their savage ancestors was an uh
expected and painful revelation. II was specaH sac
Ia learn that two OF the sprghtiest oil the dancers
covered with little oOking-glasses, slegh-De rluxs
feathers and ribbons, were graduates oil TN" Chrls
| Indian School who have relapaed INTO hhhmeles
aayagerv An examination OF the traders stores II
gidentay developed the fact that people have almos
| lost the habit OF self piincss-cyen IA regard
/ their sayaee rites and customs. Their wonpun j
| made in New-Jersey their blankets IN Philadelphia
their slyer ewelry ia bought them IN ST. Louis an'
! some If their more elaborate and costly adornmont
arc ordered especially from Germany. ln!short In
manifold resources OF modern civilization are man
tributary 10 the maintenance of their disgust nj
/ bnrbarlsuL